Potential Application of Nanoparticles as Antipathogens - Advanced Materials for Agriculture, Food and Environmental Safety - page 340

bioavailability. h e advantages of using nanoparticles as a drug delivery
system include:

• h e size and surface characteristics of nanoparticles can be
easily manipulated. h is could be used for both passive and
active drug targeting.
• Nanoparticles can be made to control and sustain drug
release during the transportation as well as at the location
of the release. Since distribution and subsequent clearance
of the drug from the body can be altered, an increase in
drug therapeutic ei cacy and reduction in side ef ects can
be achieved. Choosing an appropriate matrix also helps
increase drug ei ciency and reduces side ef ects [52].

• Targeted drugs may be developed.

• Various routes of administration including oral, nasal, injec-

tion, intraocular (within the eyes), etc., can be used.

Nanoparticles can be used in combination therapy for decreasing anti-
biotic resistance [39]. It has been shown that zinc oxide nanoparticles can
decrease antibiotic resistance and enhance the antibacterial activity of
Ciprol oxacin against microorganisms. Nanoparticles can interfere with
the dif erent proteins which are interacting in the antibiotic resistance or
pharmacologic mechanisms of drugs.

12.5 Antibacterial Properties of Nanomaterials

Nanosized inorganic particles, of either simple or composite nature, dis-
play unique physical and chemical properties and represent an increas-
ingly important material in the development of novel nanodevices which
can be used in numerous physical, biological, biomedical, and pharmaceu-
tical applications.
h e preparation of uniform nanosized drug particles with specii c
requirements in terms of size, shape, and physical and chemical proper-
ties is of great interest in the formulation of new pharmaceutical products
[45]. Resistance of bacteria to bactericides and antibiotics has increased
in recent years due to the development of resistant strains. Some antimi-
crobial agents are extremely irritating and toxic and there is much interest
in i nding ways to formulate new types of safe and cost-ef ective biocidal
materials.